You have questions. We have answers — and if we don’t, we’ll find them together.
What is the Paris Biofoundry?
The Paris Biofoundry is a distributed, open infrastructure dedicated to the automated engineering of biological systems. It brings together robotic platforms, AI-driven workflows, and deep scientific expertise across four specialized sites in the Paris region, serving both academic and industrial partners.
Who runs the Paris Biofoundry?
The Paris Biofoundry is a consortium involving major research institutions of the Paris region — including Sorbonne Université, Institut Curie, CNRS, INRAE, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, PSL, Université Paris Cité, and Genopole — and is funded by the Île-de-France region.
Is the Paris Biofoundry a public or private structure?
It is a publicly funded infrastructure, open to both academic and industrial partners. Access is available through collaborative research agreements, service contracts, or direct equipment access depending on your needs and profile.
Where is the Paris Biofoundry located?
The Biofoundry is distributed across four sites in the Paris region: the DNA and Microbe Biofoundry at Sorbonne Université (central site, Paris), the Mammalian Biofoundry at Institut Curie (Paris), the Cell-Free Biofoundry at Micalis Institute (Versailles), and the Industrial Biofoundry at GateX by Genopole (Évry).
Services & Capabilities
What services does the Paris Biofoundry offer?
Our core services span the full Design-Build-Test-Learn (DBTL) cycle:
- DNA design, cloning and automated assembly
- Construction and screening of genetic circuits and metabolic pathways
- High-throughput phenotyping and cell screening (including cytometry and cell sorting)
- Proteomic and metabolomic analyses
- Cell-free production and optimization
- Scale-up and downstream bioprocessing
- Custom experimental design and project consulting
What types of organisms do you work with?
We work with a broad range of biological hosts, including bacteria, yeast, microalgae, and mammalian cells. Each organism type is handled at the site best equipped for it. Get in touch to discuss whether your organism of interest is in scope.
Do you offer services beyond standard protocols?
Yes. We regularly develop custom solutions tailored to specific scientific or industrial objectives. If your project requires a non-standard approach, our team will work with you to design an appropriate experimental strategy.
Can you handle confidential or proprietary projects?
Absolutely. Data integrity and security are core to how we operate. Confidential industrial projects are handled under appropriate legal frameworks, including non-disclosure agreements and IP protection clauses. Please contact us to discuss the specifics of your situation.
Do you provide training on your equipment?
Yes. We offer training sessions on our platforms for researchers and teams who wish to use the equipment independently. Our engineers provide hands-on support and can be available for follow-up guidance.
Access & Collaboration Models
How can I access the Paris Biofoundry?
There are several ways to work with us, depending on your profile and needs:
- Service contract — commission specific experiments or production runs on demand
- Collaborative project — co-develop a research project with our scientific team
- Equipment rental & training — access our platforms directly with appropriate training
- Innovation & partnership programs — longer-term engagement for industrial partners and startups
I am an academic researcher. Can I access the Biofoundry?
Yes. The Paris Biofoundry actively supports fundamental and translational academic research. Access for academic teams may be facilitated through research collaboration frameworks or national infrastructure access programs. We encourage you to reach out early so we can identify the right access route together.
I represent a company or startup. Can we work with you?
Yes, and we actively welcome industrial partnerships. Whether you are a large group, an SME, or an early-stage startup, we have experience working with private sector partners and can adapt our collaboration model to your constraints and timelines.
Is there a minimum project size or scope?
No fixed minimum applies. We work on projects ranging from a single targeted service to comprehensive multi-month research programs. We are happy to discuss your project regardless of its scale.
How long does it typically take to get started?
This depends on the nature and complexity of your project, as well as platform availability. For service-based requests, turnaround times are usually agreed upon during the initial scoping phase. We recommend contacting us as early as possible to plan ahead.
Costs & Funding
Are your services free of charge?
Access conditions and costs vary depending on the type of partnership and the profile of the partner. Academic access may benefit from subsidized rates depending on funding frameworks. Industrial partnerships are subject to standard service pricing. Contact us for a quote tailored to your project.
Can you help me find funding for a collaborative project?
We are experienced with national and European funding mechanisms and can advise on relevant calls (ANR, Horizon Europe, BPI France, etc.). In some cases, we can be directly involved as a partner in grant applications.
Getting Started
How do I know if my project is a good fit for the Paris Biofoundry?
If your project involves engineering, screening, producing or analysing biological systems — and would benefit from automation, scale, or capabilities beyond what your own lab or team can provide — there is likely a fit. We encourage you to reach out even if you are not sure: our team is happy to help you assess feasibility.
What information should I prepare before contacting you?
A brief description of your scientific or industrial objective, the biological system(s) involved, your expected timelines, and any specific constraints (regulatory, IP, budget) will allow us to get back to you with a meaningful response quickly.
Can I visit the Paris Biofoundry before committing to a project?
Yes. We regularly organise site tours for potential partners and are happy to welcome you to one or several of our sites. This is often the best way to understand what we can offer and to begin a conversation about your project in a concrete setting.
Who do I contact to get started?
Don’t see your question here? Write to us directly — we read every message.